Coaching Degree: What to expect?

Do you have a passion for sports? Perhaps you played in high school, college, or even professionally. A great way to share your passion and stay active in your sport of choice is to go into coaching. If that’s your plan, then dust off your desk, fire up the coffee pot, sharpen your pencils, and hit the books.

Here’s what to expect from a degree in coaching.

Training

Earning your sports coaching degree is the first step in achieving your career goals. There are many choices for your bachelor’s level major, such as physical education, biology, health and nutrition, sports science, or a sports management degree. You could even log on and earn your coaching degree online.

Your classes will educate you about the human body and how it functions. You’ll learn biology, anatomy, and performance-based information, such as how the body responds to food or heat. You’ll also learn about motivation and the psychology of sports.

Next Step

With your bachelor’s degree in hand, consider progressing to the master’s level. Most Coaches earn a master’s degree in sports psychology, sports management, or coaching. Coaching positions become more competitive as you move through the ranks, so an advanced degree will likely pay off in the long run.

There’s much more to coaching than just teaching the players about the game. It also involves motivating them, assessing their skills, and managing the business side of the team. To prepare you for the task, your degree will include classes in injury prevention, ethics, performance and conditioning, and leadership.

Certification

Certification is optional, but some employers may require it. If you hope to work freelance, certification will also give you credibility. Check with the International Coach Federation (ICF) for more information.